Wallers potential could mean a bright future in Baltimore.

[Cillmatic]

Besides, we need to know what Waller is gonna be NOW so that we can decide on if we need to draft a WR in the first round.

[Dfence4champs2052]

I know it's a short week so I wonder if we'll see some, or any, change before Thursday's game. I hope so.

[Guest Omerta]

This stuff is hilarious. I am as guilty as any man here but what is really the issue here ?I think it was expectations and what is being asked of iken, I am not saying the guy is great but we are trying to make him something he is not, a deep threat, and a #2 WR. 

 

It starts in the offseason as it does every year, a  fan base gets so hard up for stories that any play starts to turn into a murmur of hope, then a coach gets asked and says he is legit and a player from the group endorses it and it has now become full fledged hysteria. It did with Aiken, people talked about him grinding and making contested catches,  a coach was asked, than SSS gave him the endorsement and the fervor grew. We were expecting a man who just needed a shot before he set the world on fire ala Victor Cruz and alas....he is what he has always been and continue to be. 

 

I think any Ravens fan who has been a fan for a while will remember our times of having an epic logjam of aging vets at WR and young perceived talent buried on the depth chart. Well we are in a spot where all of these guys are young, and they are learning the game. The problem is they are all learning it together at the same time. If Waller can be something and Camp stays healthy, and for the biggest if, is if BP can get healthy, stay that way, and be what we think he can than they will all go through growing pains but they will do it together which means they should all start getting average to really good at the same time. 

[cushrinada1986]

I typically don't blame the coaches too much but their refusal to try certain players out is annoying to me.  In 2013, the man guys at WR played so bad John made Brown and Mellette the starters of the 3rd preseason game.  In today's game, the benched Melvin after he got beat multiple times early on.  John has regularly benched players for fumbling or very bad play (minus those big dollar guys with a contract you can't cut).  So what's stopping them from moving on from Aiken??  Is he practicing so well that they figure it has to eventually translate to the field?

 

During preseason I argued with people who said Kamar wasn't playing hard because he knew he had the job locked up.  What's the excuse now?  The guys is not even better than Demetrius Williams.  After the first 0-3 start in franchise history and watching Steve Smith play so hard he needed a freaking I.V., they need to just shake things up and swap Waller with Aiken.  He just can't do worse than 0 catches

I just feel bad for SSS because he vouched for him and this is how you pay back a future HOF?

[cushrinada1986]

Besides, we need to know what Waller is gonna be NOW so that we can decide on if we need to draft a WR in the first round.

Next year is going to be loaded next year and we do not have time to keep trying to play around waiting for Aiken and Brown to become top flight guys. I saw some potential from Daniel and Waller in the preseason and I feel if we can see where we are with them before Perrimen comes back, we could decide if we have a solid stable going into next season or like you said, hit the draft for more backups.

[ratedr]

This stuff is hilarious. I am as guilty as any man here but what is really the issue here ?I think it was expectations and what is being asked of iken, I am not saying the guy is great but we are trying to make him something he is not, a deep threat, and a #2 WR. 

 

It starts in the offseason as it does every year, a  fan base gets so hard up for stories that any play starts to turn into a murmur of hope, then a coach gets asked and says he is legit and a player from the group endorses it and it has now become full fledged hysteria. It did with Aiken, people talked about him grinding and making contested catches,  a coach was asked, than SSS gave him the endorsement and the fervor grew. We were expecting a man who just needed a shot before he set the world on fire ala Victor Cruz and alas....he is what he has always been and continue to be. 

 

I think any Ravens fan who has been a fan for a while will remember our times of having an epic logjam of aging vets at WR and young perceived talent buried on the depth chart. Well we are in a spot where all of these guys are young, and they are learning the game. The problem is they are all learning it together at the same time. If Waller can be something and Camp stays healthy, and for the biggest if, is if BP can get healthy, stay that way, and be what we think he can than they will all go through growing pains but they will do it together which means they should all start getting average to really good at the same time. 

This is good optimism...the problem is that for the Aikens and Browns of the world (and likely the Wallers and Camps), below average is generally their ceiling.

 

As someone else here said, we've made a habit of relying on guys on offense who can't be relied upon.

Edited September 28, 2015 by ratedr

[redrum52]

I'd go Waller and Camp in the slot next game. I have no idea why camp isn't being used more. Annoying to see Crockett disappear as well after starting out well the past two games.

[52520Andrew]

Let Waller have his shot but frankly I am not optimistic that he is any better than what we have, too raw. 

 

Want to see some good 2 TE sets but we would actually need to establish the running game for maximum effect there

[JoeyFlex5]

people say things like "waller cant be any worse than aiken right now"... 

 

waller has potential and all, and im rooting for him, but what if waller cant gain separation, doesnt know the playbook/audibles well enough, and lacks ball skills at an nfl level? ill tell ya what happens, joe throws to him hoiping he makes a play on the ball because hes a big boy, and he is in the wrong position, or he is smothered and covered and doesnt know how to fight for the ball against an NFL corner, and it becomes a turnover. 

 

i have said all offseason that people need to abandon these expectations of aiken and brown, BUT, just throwing someone as raw as waller into the fire could be an ugly scenario. i just dont know if hes ready yet. let him earn some stripes when we play bad secondaries, that way he can at least get off the line and wont give up a INT anytime he has to fight for the ball. patience is the key with a guy like this.

[cushrinada1986]

I'd go Waller and Camp in the slot next game. I have no idea why camp isn't being used more. Annoying to see Crockett disappear as well after starting out well the past two games.

thats not a bad Idea honestly. We are not totally in a sunken ship at this point. To be honest we just need another guys outside of SSS and a good slot. Camp can play the slot and Waller could play outside. With Waller outside you have a threat for the high ball each time. If they take the safeties to the outside to cover SSS and Waller, guess what, those LB will have to worry about our Gronk, Gilmore streaking down the seam and if he doesnt outrun the LB, he will take a few DBs down the field with him. If you play to take away the deep ball, SSS and Camp will slice you to shreds underneath, as well as Williams and our running game. We dont need superstars here to get this done, just mismatches. 

[Purple_City39]

people say things like "waller cant be any worse than aiken right now"... 

 

waller has potential and all, and im rooting for him, but what if waller cant gain separation, doesnt know the playbook/audibles well enough, and lacks ball skills at an nfl level? ill tell ya what happens, joe throws to him hoiping he makes a play on the ball because hes a big boy, and he is in the wrong position, or he is smothered and covered and doesnt know how to fight for the ball against an NFL corner, and it becomes a turnover. 

 

i have said all offseason that people need to abandon these expectations of aiken and brown, BUT, just throwing someone as raw as waller into the fire could be an ugly scenario. i just dont know if hes ready yet. let him earn some stripes when we play bad secondaries, that way he can at least get off the line and wont give up a INT anytime he has to fight for the ball. patience is the key with a guy like this.

How much worse can he be than 0 catches?  Plus the Steelers secondary isn't as good as it's looked.  They've benefited from playing Kaepernick and Foles.  William Gay is decent but if Pittsburgh is smart he's on SSS (not that he can contain him).  That leaves bums like Cortez Allen and Antwan Blake.  This is the perfect game for Waller to get time in.

 

We can't keep talking about players being raw but not be willing to put them in games to develop.  Clearly playing against our secondary in practice isn't going to help anyone improve

[JoeyFlex5]

How much worse can he be than 0 catches?  Plus the Steelers secondary isn't as good as it's looked.  They've benefited from playing Kaepernick and Foles.  William Gay is decent but if Pittsburgh is smart he's on SSS (not that he can contain him).  That leaves bums like Cortez Allen and Antwan Blake.  This is the perfect game for Waller to get time in.

 

We can't keep talking about players being raw but not be willing to put them in games to develop.  Clearly playing against our secondary in practice isn't going to help anyone improve

0 catches can absolutely be worse, and youll be changing your tune when waller steps in and fails to fight for the ball or is in the wrong place and gives up a pick-six. we saw it with tandon doss, great hands and great route abilities but mentally he wasnt on an nfl level and he gave up picks in 2013 because when he got a chance, he was constantly in the wrong spot. thats the kind of stuff that happens when you field a WR who isnt ready. 

 

and thats why i said let him play bad secondaries, pittsburgh absolutely is the time to field him, as was week 2 @OAK, and i dont think its a coincidence that he got a few looks there. i could see him getting some looks against SF, CLE, and MIA as well, assuming steve draws the top corners. but i absolutely would be shaky about fielding him vs a secondary as good as the bengals.

[GrimCoconut]

0 catches can absolutely be worse, and youll be changing your tune when waller steps in and fails to fight for the ball or is in the wrong place and gives up a pick-six. we saw it with tandon doss, great hands and great route abilities but mentally he wasnt on an nfl level and he gave up picks in 2013 because when he got a chance, he was constantly in the wrong spot. thats the kind of stuff that happens when you field a WR who isnt ready.

and thats why i said let him play bad secondaries, pittsburgh absolutely is the time to field him, as was week 2 @OAK, and i dont think its a coincidence that he got a few looks there. i could see him getting some looks against SF, CLE, and MIA as well, assuming steve draws the top corners. but i absolutely would be shaky about fielding him vs a secondary as good as the bengals.

I agree..I think the secret to Waller is getting him confidence against a bad secondary. I'm just not fully convinced Pittsburgh is that team, but I can't see how it hurts. The Steelers are dangerous and they always play us tough. They could be 0-14 but those two games they play us could always be dog fight.

I would consider the Browns a good team to try him against. They have players but much like us they're not gelling. Haden will certainly be on Sr.

[cushrinada1986]

Looking at the size of the DBs the steelers have going into next week. If Gay gets SSS, the Ravens should be able to put in Waller and do some damage. Even Marlon may be able to get some catches as long as Flacco can toss it in the right spots. I know waller had issues getting jammed at the line during preseason but non of these guys are even 200lbs so this may be the best time to see what the rookie has. If he does well and surprises maybe we talk about getting more time. Worse case is we end up trying to get a name off FA or trade. 

 

28 Allen, Cortez CB 6-1 197 26 - most likely to face Waller if he was in the game. Allens 40 = 4.51 while Wallers 40 = 4.46. I say give it a shot.

41 Blake, Antwon CB 5-9 198 25 

25 Boykin, Brandon CB 5-10 182 

31 Cockrell, Ross CB 6-0 191 - Could go against Waller as well but with a 4.56 40 and 6 lbs lighter, I would suspect Allen would be the guy covering him.

22 Gay, William CB 5-10 187  

Edited September 28, 2015 by cushrinada1986

[Purple_City39]

Looking at the size of the DBs the steelers have going into next week. If Gay gets SSS, the Ravens should be able to put in Waller and do some damage. Even Marlon may be able to get some catches as long as Flacco can toss it in the right spots. I know waller had issues getting jammed at the line during preseason but non of these guys are even 200lbs so this may be the best time to see what the rookie has. If he does well and surprises maybe we talk about getting more time. Worse case is we end up trying to get a name off FA or trade. 

 

28 Allen, Cortez CB 6-1 197 26 - most likely to face Waller if he was in the game. Allens 40 = 4.51 while Wallers 40 = 4.46. I say give it a shot.

41 Blake, Antwon CB 5-9 198 25 

25 Boykin, Brandon CB 5-10 182 

31 Cockrell, Ross CB 6-0 191 - Could go against Waller as well but with a 4.56 40 and 6 lbs lighter, I would suspect Allen would be the guy covering him.

22 Gay, William CB 5-10 187  

I'm not sure if Ross Cockrell (who) has even played a snap yet.  I have discussions with Steelers fans.  

 

It really just depends on where Waller play.  If the coaches have the stones to put him in for Aiken, he'll get Allen or Blake.  If they put him in the slot, he likely gets Gay or Boykin (both can be bumped inside in the nickle).  

 

Either way, nobody in their secondary is a concern outside of William Gay.  

[cushrinada1986]

I'm not sure if Ross Cockrell (who) has even played a snap yet.  I have discussions with Steelers fans.  

 

It really just depends on where Waller play.  If the coaches have the stones to put him in for Aiken, he'll get Allen or Blake.  If they put him in the slot, he likely gets Gay or Boykin (both can be bumped inside in the nickle).  

 

Either way, nobody in their secondary is a concern outside of William Gay.  

I just want the kid to get more looks. At this point if he and camp dont workout were very possibly headed to either FA or trade next.

[jdynamite]

It's funny how so many people have been screaming for Waller during the last few game day threads. I mean if he's not playing, then he's not ready to play yet, that could be for a variety of reasons: route running, learning the playbook, he has to be built up into a WR after being in GT triple option, he wasn't a go to guy at GT like D.Thomas or C.Johnson. He's pretty much a taller maybe even more raw version of Stephen Hill another GT guy. I mean I would love for Waller to turn into our M.Colston with a little more speed. Perhaps he will eventually be thrown into more game action if Brown continues not to produce along with others.

But all the put Waller in its the goal line talk, you'd swear he was Gronk around the goal line.

I would just pump the brakes for now until he gets some consistent action.

[Cillmatic]

It's funny how so many people have been screaming for Waller during the last few game day threads. I mean if he's not playing, then he's not ready to play yet, that could be for a variety of reasons: route running, learning the playbook, he has to be built up into a WR after being in GT triple option, he wasn't a go to guy at GT like D.Thomas or C.Johnson. He's pretty much a taller maybe even more raw version of Stephen Hill another GT guy. I mean I would love for Waller to turn into our M.Colston with a little more speed. Perhaps he will eventually be thrown into more game action if Brown continues not to produce along with others.

But all the put Waller in its the goal line talk, you'd swear he was Gronk around the goal line.

I would just pump the brakes for now until he gets some consistent action.

Well considering that our #2 WR only got one target and caught ZERO balls I think Wallers the only option we have right now.

[Ravensfan23]

Well considering that our #2 WR only got one target and caught ZERO balls I think Wallers the only option we have right now.

What makes you think Waller would get any more targets? If Flacco doesn't target him everyone would be saying how he's a bum.

Waller isn't playing because he wouldn't bring much difference then what the Ravens already have. Guys not making plays isn't the issue. Guys not getting the opportunities to make plays is the issue imo

[Guest]

I watched a perfectly thrown, Flacco spiraling slant ball to M. Brown glance off his hands in the Cincinnati game like he was Matt Elam. There is something wrong with M. Brown and Aiken disappeared.  I was one beating Wallers drum. I really thought he'd be in by now but after what I believe was a route error vs. Denver, Waller has not had any offensive snaps. (He's playing special teams.)

 

At this juncture it doesn't matter who steps up, but someone has to.

It's funny how so many people have been screaming for Waller during the last few game day threads. I mean if he's not playing, then he's not ready to play yet, that could be for a variety of reasons: route running, learning the playbook, he has to be built up into a WR after being in GT triple option, he wasn't a go to guy at GT like D.Thomas or C.Johnson. He's pretty much a taller maybe even more raw version of Stephen Hill another GT guy. I mean I would love for Waller to turn into our M.Colston with a little more speed. Perhaps he will eventually be thrown into more game action if Brown continues not to produce along with others.

But all the put Waller in its the goal line talk, you'd swear he was Gronk around the goal line.

I would just pump the brakes for now until he gets some consistent action.

 

I think Waller can be Gonk, but you can't design a strict alley oop. The alley oop has to arise from circumstances. He's smart so he has to know the playbook.  To my mind he needs to be taking 1st team reps.

 

Well considering that our #2 WR only got one target and caught ZERO balls I think Wallers the only option we have right now.

 

He's young and making route running mistakes. The Hotreads must be killing him. Flacco has tried to lob it to him, but they didn't have good timing.  Waller needs to play and make his separation.

[Cillmatic]

What makes you think Waller would get any more targets? If Flacco doesn't target him everyone would be saying how he's a bum.

Waller isn't playing because he wouldn't bring much difference then what the Ravens already have. Guys not making plays isn't the issue. Guys not getting the opportunities to make plays is the issue imo

He's fast, very tall and going against one of the worse and shortest CB's in the league. Look at how Chris Matthews did against Arrington in the super bowl.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Waller has shown he can't beat a midget safety/3rd string corners.   

 

He has no clue how to use his size to his advantage and he has ZERO body control in the air.   

He stinks period.   Can he get better? He absolutely must.   Else he is done!

[Guest]

Waller has shown he can't beat a midget safety/3rd string corners.   

 

He has no clue how to use his size to his advantage and he has ZERO body control in the air.   

He stinks period.   Can he get better? He absolutely must.   Else he is done!

They all played great in Camp......and Waller demonstrated everything you have been critical of.

 

Regular Season, Steve Smith excepted, they have all stunk up the joint. The difference being that Waller has had the slightest fraction of Regular Season Game Snaps compared to the others.

 

Someone have the PFF snaps for our WR's?

Edited September 30, 2015 by Danny D

[rmcjacket23]

How much worse can he be than 0 catches? Plus the Steelers secondary isn't as good as it's looked. They've benefited from playing Kaepernick and Foles. William Gay is decent but if Pittsburgh is smart he's on SSS (not that he can contain him). That leaves bums like Cortez Allen and Antwan Blake. This is the perfect game for Waller to get time in.

We can't keep talking about players being raw but not be willing to put them in games to develop. Clearly playing against our secondary in practice isn't going to help anyone improve

Well, there are a few things we know for sure...

1. Kamar Aiken won #2 WR job. He was in about as open a competition as you can possibly get with everybody not named Steve Smith, and he outplayed Waller, Brown, Campanaro, Butler, and any other fan favorite this board has. So that's why, at least at the beginning, Waller isn't playing.

2. Aiken falls into the category of a raw player who is being given meaningful snaps to prove himself. So far, that hasn't happened.

3. While I completely disagree with the notion that the only way coaches can evaluate players is to put them in regular season games for long periods of time and see what they can do, I at least understand why some think this.

The only serious question I have is... do we understand the risk of doing this? I know we understand the reward.

But what if we just throw Waller out there, he struggles (which just about everybody should expect him to), he drops passes, he runs lazy routes (which I've seen him do multiple times), and turnovers occur? When turnovers occur frequently, losses start to occur frequently. Are you willing to risk losing games (and possibly losing a season) to find out if a raw player can play?

I'm not, and that's why I never think its a good idea. We go 0-6, and I'll be the first supporter of benching every veteran and throwing every rookie, PS player, etc. out there to see if any of them can play a lick. But if there's still hope for a recovery (and at least until midnight tomorrow there is), I'm not willing to risk the downside to find out if a 6th round pick can play or not. To me, the risk greatly exceeds the reward at this point. There's plenty of other opportunities and times where coaches who are paid millions and are exponentially better at evaluating talent than anybody on these boards ever will be can evaluate them and determine if they are worthy of playing time.

Or, quite simply, Waller could have just beat his competition for the job, as he was surely given every possible opportunity to do so.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Moderator 3

[Guest]

 

 

Or, quite simply, Waller could have just beat his competition for the job, as he was surely given every possible opportunity to do so.

Some of what you said made sense but I'll focus upon this part first.  Waller did not get the 1st team reps Aiken and Brown got.

 

Secondly, isn't  the performance of Aiken and Brown proof in and of itself that the coaches have erred?  When you compare coaches and fans, weigh also coaches opinions of Matt Elam, who we drafted number 1.

 

Unless Brown and Aiken suddenly bring it. We will be 0-4.

 

In regard to the "Risk vs Reward" analysis.........let us ask you this. ....At what point do we bring in the untried guys? At 0-4? At 0-5?...at 0-6? ....when do we do the unconventional out of recognition that our coaches erred in their initial assessments?

 

I think Waller and Camp need 25 snaps a game and not just in alley oop and quick slant situations. Lastly, part of the reason I believed Waller would rise by week 8 was in regard to low opinion of Brown and Aiken. If we give Brown and Aiken the Pittsburgh game, I'm afraid of where that may leave us.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Danny D

[Ravensfan23]

He's fast, very tall and going against one of the worse and shortest CB's in the league. Look at how Chris Matthews did against Arrington in the super bowl.

And again how does all of that help if he's not being targeted? Trestman has schemed the entire passing game open. Guys aren't going out and winning 1on1 matchups. Everyone is talking about Gilmore having a breakout season so far, but of his 10 catches 8 of them have come against zone or he's been schemed open. No knock to him but if Maxx Williams or even Boyle are giving those opportunities they are gonna make the same plays.

Apply that to the WRs and it's the same. SSR was targeted 8 times within 5 yards of the LOS vs Cin and most of them were screens, shallow crosses and flares. Are you telling me that no other WR would have been able to make those catches and get a few yards? That's Trestman scheming him open. On SSR back shoulder TD, Marlon Brown was open for a TD but Falcco chose Smitty. If that was Waller instead of Brown would Flacco had thrown to him? No

In the Raiders game when the Ravens kicked the first FG. Flacco had Brown at the top of the field open on an out route for a TD, however he chose to throw a fade to the toughest but smallest WR on the team. If Waller is running the same route instead of Brown would Flacco had targeted him? Again I say no.

Steve Smith is not getting targeted 17 times per game because the other guys suck. He's being targeted that much because he's our best WR, Trestman is scheming up plays for him and Flacco trust him most. Waller nor Camp will change that. Only Trestman and Flacco can.

Just so I'm clear. I'm not saying any of the other WRs are capablebof doing what Smitty does overall.

[rmcjacket23]

Some of what you said made sense but I'll focus upon this part first.  Waller did not get the 1st team reps Aiken and Brown got.

 

Secondly, isn't  the performance of Aiken and Brown proof in and of itself that the coaches have erred?  When you compare coaches and fans, weigh also coaches opinions of Matt Elam, who we drafted number 1.

 

Unless Brown and Aiken suddenly bring it. We will be 0-4.

 

In regard to the "Risk vs Reward" analysis.........let us ask you this. ....At what point do we bring in the untried guys? At 0-4? At 0-5?...at 0-6? ....when do we do the unconventional out of recognition that our coaches erred in their initial assessments?

 

I think Waller and Camp need 25 snaps a game and not just in alley oop and quick slant situations. Lastly, part of the reason I believed Waller would rise by week 8 was in regard to low opinion of Brown and Aiken. If we give Brown and Aiken the Pittsburgh game, I'm afraid of where that may leave us.

1. No, actually, its not validation that the coaching staff erred in their assessment. You COULD say that, if they all of the sudden put Waller ahead of them and he started playing significantly better than they are. Despite what the cliche is, yes actually, Waller could do worse than what Aiken has done right now. He really can. You can actually do worse as a WR in this league than just not catching barely any passes.

 

2. When we realistically don't believe we're in contention anymore, then I'd agree that's time. I used 0-6 as an example. From my perspective, a loss tomorrow night makes it unrealistic in my eyes, but that doesn't mean the coaching staff would necessarily agree, and that's not either of our calls.

 

3. I'm not even remotely concerned about what our #2 WR is going to do against Pittsburgh, because it really hasn't mattered much to the offense so far to begin with, and I don't see that changing tomorrow night. If our defense improves, we will win this game. That won't necessarily apply to other games that we will be playing, but I think it applies to this one.

 

For me, its much more simpler... I don't see a single name on this roster at WR (outside of SSS) that would have changed the outcome of any of the games we've played so far. I'd love to see Campanaro get more snaps, mostly because I like the idea of a receiver who can get open in the slot. As far as Waller's concerned, he's looked nothing but incredibly awkward running routes every time I've seen him do it, I'm not convinced half the time he knows what he's supposed to be doing out there, and I certainly have never been a fan of just throwing a big body out and throwing jump balls to him because he's tall. I trust Steve Smith more in jump ball situations right now than I trust Waller, because there's a lot more to catching jump balls than height.

 

I care about our #2 WR now ONLY because I care who that guy might be next season, in the awful event one of them actually has to be that. As of today, I'm not willing to lose games to find that out.

[Guest]

I went through the agony of watching the Bengals game again and didn't see M. Brown open on S.Smith back shoulder T.D.  I'll watch it again.

 

There was some criticism of Flacco trying for Maxx Williams late when M. Brown was open on a left sideline fly.  Flacco was rolling right and the Safety was definitely in the "jump zone". On that play Flacco was wise not to put it up. 

 

I'm off to see if M. Brown really did clear on Smittys T.D.  Moot in this instance but let me see if he truly got open.

 

 

And again how does all of that help if he's not being targeted? Trestman has schemed the entire passing game open. Guys aren't going out and winning 1on1 matchups. Everyone is talking about Gilmore having a breakout season so far, but of his 10 catches 8 of them have come against zone or he's been schemed open. No knock to him but if Maxx Williams or even Boyle are giving those opportunities they are gonna make the same plays.

Apply that to the WRs and it's the same. SSR was targeted 8 times within 5 yards of the LOS vs Cin and most of them were screens, shallow crosses and flares. Are you telling me that no other WR would have been able to make those catches and get a few yards? That's Trestman scheming him open. On SSR back shoulder TD, Marlon Brown was open for a TD but Falcco chose Smitty. If that was Waller instead of Brown would Flacco had thrown to him? No

In the Raiders game when the Ravens kicked the first FG. Flacco had Brown at the top of the field open on an out route for a TD, however he chose to throw a fade to the toughest but smallest WR on the team. If Waller is running the same route instead of Brown would Flacco had targeted him? Again I say no.

Steve Smith is not getting targeted 17 times per game because the other guys suck. He's being targeted that much because he's our best WR, Trestman is scheming up plays for him and Flacco trust him most. Waller nor Camp will change that. Only Trestman and Flacco can.

Just so I'm clear. I'm not saying any of the other WRs are capablebof doing what Smitty does overall.

[Guest]

I'll make it even more simple.  Newsome was shopping for a Very Expensive WR a couple days ago.  I doubt he pulls the trigger, but he was on the horn.

 

I think they know they don't have the WR horses.  The #2 and #3 obviously have them concerned. They goofed.

1. No, actually, its not validation that the coaching staff erred in their assessment.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I get wanting something different after Aiken and Brown have shown next to nothing so far this season.

And I like Wallers future potential as much as the next guy, but what exactly has he done or shown to inspire any confidence that he'd be an upgrade over Aiken or Brown?

In the preseason while playing against 2nd and mainly 3rd string DBs he put up performances similar to what Aiken and Brown are currently doing against NFL starters.

If he couldn't separate and make plays in the preseason against nobodies, what is there to make you think he could do anything in a regular season game against starters. Yeah, the Steelers corners are pretty bad, but it's still Pittsburgh away.

Not an environment I'd want to throw an un-developed rookie into the fire - in a game we need to win in the worst way.

What we should be hoping for are more 2 TE sets (maybe even 3 when Crocketts back), Juice and Camp. Maxx, Juice, Camp and Boyle have shown an ability to get open, catch and get tough yards after the catch. All 4 deserve and should see increased snaps well before Waller.

The best weapons need to be on the field period. And maybe with both TE's, Juice, with Smith on the outside we could manufacture a power run game.

Since we don't have a deep threat we need as many guys that can operate in tight spaces, box out defenders and really grind out tough yards after catch.

Until Perriman returns, I think that's the recipe for success. It's not sexy, and we won't put up huge numbers or points... But it might just grind games out, put up long plodding drives so the defense can stay off the field as much as possible until it proves capable of getting a stop in the 4th quarter.

Edited September 30, 2015 by BOLDnPurPnBlacK